US believes Israel may soon attack Iran

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A senior American military official on Friday told CNN that the Obama Administration is "absolutely concerned" that Israel may soon strike Iran's nuclear facilities.

The official insisted that the US itself has no intention of attacking Iran (though other reports suggest otherwise), and said there is no guarantee Israel will notify Washington before launching its own military operation.

Next week, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is scheduled to publish a report that all but confirms Iran is building nuclear bombs. Many believe that report will mark the dreaded "point of no return" obligating Israel to use military intervention against the Iranian nuclear program, as did it against Iraq in 1981 and Syria in 2007.

In an interview with Israel's Channel 2 News on Friday, Israeli President Shimon Peres strongly hinted that Israel is closer than ever to striking Iran, and that the time for diplomatic efforts is nearly over.

"It seems Iran is moving closer to having a nuclear weapon," Peres said. "In the time that remains, we need to turn to the nations of the world and tell them that the time has come to fulfill their promise and their responsibility, which is about more than imposing sanctions. We must do what should be done to stop Iran."

Many Israeli officials are irritated that the discussion over whether or not to attack Iran has entered the public domain. But the obvious preparations for such an eventuality has all Israelis a little on edge.

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